Over 45 Companies Fail To Open Doors In Zimbabwe Tough Economic Environment

By Staff Reporter
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23950
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February 01, 2020

MORE than 20 companies failed to reopen after the festive season, leaving at least 500 workers in the lurch, businessdigest has learnt.

This comes at a time the economy is facing serious headwinds which include prolonged power cuts of up to 18 hours, depressed production at less than 40% capacity, fuel and foreign currency shortages and year-on-year inflation which has galloped past the 500% mark.

Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions (ZFTU) secretary-general Kenias Shamuyarira told businessdigest this week that 45 companies have failed to reopen their doors after the Christmas holidays as the deepening economic crisis takes its toll.

“We have quite a number of companies who have failed to reopen after the festive season. There are about 45 companies which have failed to reopen which in total employ more than 500 people. This is due to economic difficulties,” Shamuyarira said.

He said although some of them had closed shop, others are still sitting on the fence as they assess the situation on the ground particularly around power outages which have crippled the operations of most business entities.

Shamuyarira pointed out that most of the companies that have failed to reopen are from the manufacturing sector.Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions secretary-general Japhet Moyo said they are still in the process of collecting information on the number of companies that did not reopen their doors after the festive holidays.

However, he pointed out that, in a bid to cut on costs, companies have resorted to telling their employees to go on leave to reduce the number of leave days they have

In an interview, CEO Africa Roundtable chairperson Oswell Binha revealed that they are also in the process of gathering information on the number of companies that did not reopen after the Christmas holiday.

“The CEO Africa Roundtable is currently undertaking an evaluation of how many companies have failed to open shop by January 2020,” Binha said this week.

“Company operations affected to near-closure by the 18-hour load shedding, absence of key enablers, hyperinflation and low aggregate demand are increasing with some opting to institute care-and-maintenance to reduce operational costs.”

Economist Godfrey Kanyenze warned that more companies could be forced to close shop if there is no change to the turbulent economic environment.

“As long as there is no sign of any change for the better, the situation on the ground will not improve,” Kanyenze said.

“With fuel shortages and power outages getting worse, how do you get a positive vibe? Put yourself in the position of those companies who have to run their businesses with various equipment on generators. What is needed is a holistic approach that deals with the politics. The political bickering indicates that nothing has changed.”

Labour market analyst and former Employers’ Confederation of Zimbabwe (Emcoz) executive director John Mufukare said the failure by companies to reopen in the New Year signals worsening economic decline

“I am not in the least surprised by this development,” he said. “We are going from bad to worse and you do not need to be a rocket scientist to see that.”

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Navy Mesothelioma Lawyer: Asbestos Claims for Veterans

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Navy Mesothelioma Lawyer: Asbestos Claims for Veterans

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Many veterans, especially Navy veterans, were exposed to asbestos during military service. Ships, shipyards, engine rooms, boiler rooms, insulation, pipes, gaskets, valves, pumps, and other equipment commonly involved asbestos-containing materials.

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A Navy mesothelioma lawyer helps veterans and families investigate asbestos exposure and pursue compensation options.

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These claims may involve lawsuits against asbestos product manufacturers, asbestos trust funds, and possible veterans benefits.

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Why Navy Veterans Faced Asbestos Exposure

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Navy ships historically used asbestos because it resisted heat and fire.

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Asbestos may have been found in:

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Boiler insulation
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Veterans may have inhaled fibers during repair, maintenance, overhaul, or demolition work.

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Military Exposure and Civilian Companies

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Veterans usually do not sue the military for asbestos exposure. Instead, claims often focus on private companies that manufactured, supplied, or sold asbestos-containing products used by the military.

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A mesothelioma lawyer can help identify those companies.

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Veterans and Mesothelioma

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Mesothelioma can take decades to develop after asbestos exposure. A veteran exposed in the 1960s, 1970s, or 1980s may not be diagnosed until many years later.

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ATSDR notes that asbestos-related diseases usually appear many years after first exposure.

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What Compensation Options May Exist?

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Veterans may have several possible options:

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Asbestos lawsuit
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The right path depends on diagnosis, service history, exposure evidence, and family situation.

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What Evidence Helps a Navy Asbestos Claim?

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Useful evidence may include:

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DD-214
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A lawyer experienced in Navy asbestos cases may already know which ships and equipment were associated with asbestos products.

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Common Navy Jobs With Exposure Risk

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Potentially exposed Navy roles may include:

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Machinist mates
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rnSeabees

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Exposure may also have occurred during ship repair or overhaul.

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Can Family Members File Claims?

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If a veteran died from mesothelioma, surviving family members may be able to file wrongful death claims or trust fund claims, depending on state law and deadlines.

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Families should gather medical records, death certificate, service records, and work history.

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Final Thoughts

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Navy veterans with mesothelioma may have legal and benefit options connected to asbestos exposure.

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A Navy mesothelioma lawyer can help investigate shipboard exposure, identify asbestos products, file trust claims, and pursue compensation from responsible companies.

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Veterans served their country. They deserve clear answers when asbestos exposure leads to serious disease.

Best AI Tools for Small Business Owners: A Practical Guide to Getting Started

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Customer Support Tools

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Analytics Tools

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Automation Tools

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Start with one tool that addresses your biggest need. For example, if you struggle with customer inquiries, implement a chatbot. Once you’re comfortable, you can expand into other areas.

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Training your team is also important. Even simple tools require some level of understanding to use effectively.

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Final Thoughts

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AI is one of the most powerful tools available to small businesses today. By choosing the right solutions and using them effectively, you can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and position your business for long-term success.

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Authority Insight Section

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Experts recommend using reliable AI platforms, automation tools, and business software solutions to ensure consistent performance and scalable growth.

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Best CRM Software for Small Business: How to Manage Customers and Increase Sales

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Managing customer relationships effectively is one of the most important factors in business success. Using the best CRM software for small business allows companies to organize contacts, track interactions, and improve communication—all in one place.

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Authority Insight Section

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Business experts recommend using trusted CRM platforms and scalable customer management systems to improve efficiency and growth.